Only Paper Straws Provided on Jeju Island
Starting November 4, Starbucks Korea has fully introduced plant-based plastic straws at all stores nationwide except Jeju Island. This marks the return of plastic straws to stores seven years after paper straws were first introduced in 2018.
Starbucks will fully introduce plant-based plastic straws at all stores nationwide except Jeju Island, seven years after introducing paper straws in 2018. Yonhap News
At the end of June, Starbucks Korea conducted a pilot program with plant-based plastic straws at about 200 stores, and expanded the initiative nationwide after reflecting customer feedback. With this change, both paper and plastic straws will now be available at all stores except Jeju Island, allowing customers to choose between the two options.
On Jeju Island, in line with the "Plastic-Free by 2040" policy, the use of single-use plastic is restricted, so only paper straws will continue to be provided as before.
In 2018, under the "Promise for the Only Earth" campaign, Starbucks became the first company in Korea's food and beverage industry to introduce paper straws. However, customers continued to complain that the straws became soggy when in contact with beverages and altered the taste. Additionally, the difficulty of recycling paper straws was pointed out as a contradiction.
The newly introduced plastic straws are made from bio-plastic derived from sugarcane, rather than conventional petroleum-based materials. Starbucks Korea explained, "The use of plant-based materials helps reduce carbon emissions and aims to broaden customer choices."
Meanwhile, overseas Starbucks locations are also switching to biodegradable plastic straws following complaints about paper straws. Starbucks Japan introduced biodegradable straws in January this year, and there are signs of regulatory relaxation regarding plastic straws in the United States.
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